3 players Chelsea & Arsenal will fight for this summer

Tottenham supporters like to mock the supposed rivalry between ourselves and Chelsea, with those of a Lilywhite persuasion suggesting the pair are merely unified in their distaste of their less significant neighbours from N17.

They may well have a point, and the sharing of assets in modern times would attest to a cordial relationship between London's two most successful clubs.

Arsenal have primarily worked from Chelsea's scraps, and often such moves have come back to bite the Gunners on the backside. The more recent, though, have proven to be savvy deals on Arsenal's behalf.

Nevertheless, an off-field battle could ensue between the London rivals this summer. Similar transfer priorities mean we're already seeing both clubs listed in the same rumour mills. There's not going to be a 'fight', as the media suggest, for supposed targets, but there may well be a few tussles between negotiators. Chelsea snagged Mykhailo Mudryk away from the Gunners' grasp last year - oh no! - so Edu and company will be determined to overcome the threat from west London in discussions with potential additions in the upcoming transfer window.

Here are three transfer targets Arsenal and Chelsea could 'fight' for this summer.

1. Victor Osimhen

Nicolas Jackson has proven his competence in year one and Arsenal have been free-scoring in 2024, but both clubs are poised to sign a high-profile #9 ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

The Gunners held off in the summer, and their decision has so far been vindicated. Havertz, in particular, has found a new lease of life in a marauding role, but the club are perhaps unsure about the long-term viability of the frail Gabriel Jesus.

An elite forward could elevate Arteta's project further, and Osimhen is the star many supporters crave. The Nigerian is set to leave Napoli this summer and has discussed his desire to play in the Premier League.

Both have been strongly linked, although Chelsea are starting to fade in the race. Reports suggest PSG might be Arsenal's fiercest competitor for Osimhen's signature, but there's no denying the Blues' interest. Suitors will have to pay a monster fee to acquire the striker, that's for sure.

2. Viktor Gyokeres

Chelsea, like Arsenal, have been linked with a litany of forwards. Gyokeres has only recently popped up in the minds of the Gunners, with the Blues also keeping a watchful eye.

The powerful Swede has lit up Portugal this season having joined Sporting CP from Coventry last summer.

The London clubs are at the front of the queue to sign Gyokeres, although Sporting will want to garner a fee that comes close to the striker's eye-watering £86m release clause.

I'd have reservations about paying that much for the Swedish international. So, this sounds like a Todd Boehly move.

3. Ousmane Diomande

The Portuguese media have bigged up this supposed battle between the two clubs, but I'm not buying it.

Diomande is a supreme centre-back talent who's set to move on this summer having excelled for Sporting this term. However, with William Saliba and Gabriel operating at a world-class level for the past two years as a pair, I don't see Arsenal spending a premium price on Diomande, who would be a rotational piece to begin his career in north London.

Both clubs are said to have tabled £51m offers for the centre-back, with the player himself favouring a move to north London. A switch to Chelsea would make more sense for Diomande from a minutes perspective, but the dysfunction surrounding the Blues means it's hardly an attractive proposition.

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